Although the Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster has undergone several changes since the final round of cuts, the practice squad has stayed the same. The practice squad consists of younger players that most fans aren't familiar with, so here are all eight players on the squad and some information on them.
Alex Tanney, QB
Tanney is in his second season in the NFL, having spent his rookie season on the Kansas City Chiefs injured reserve. The Chiefs let him go after the season, and Dallas signed him in July. Tanney complete 40 of 73 passes for 423 yards, one touchdown pass and two interceptions. Tanney’s best performance was against the Arizona Cardinals when he completed 14 of 19 passes for 136 yards, one touchdown pass and a pick. He struggled in the preseason finale against the Houston Texans, like most of the team, taking seven sacks and completing 17 of his 31 passes. Tanney attended Monmouth College, a tiny D-III school.
Danny Coale, WR
Coale was a fifth round pick in the 2012 draft out of Virginia Tech University. This will be the second straight year for Coale on the practice squad. Coale has battled injuries throughout his time as a Cowboy. Coale only caught one pass in the preseason, as he was unable to stay healthy.
Tim Benford, WR
Benford is a second year undrafted free agent out of Tennessee Tech University. Much like fellow wide receiver Coale, Benford will be spending his second season on the practice squad. Benford had one of the better statistical preseasons, catching 11 balls for 135 yards.
Jakar Hamilton, S
Hamilton has had quite the path to the Cowboys. Hamilton began his college career at Georgia Military Academy, before becoming the No. 2 JUCO prospect behind some quarterback named Cam Newton and heading to the University of Georgia. He started his first game at Georgia and had a pick-six in the opener. However, injuries and academics caused him to transfer to South Carolina State for his final year. The undrafted rookie free agent had seven total tackles in the preseason. His older brother is New York Jets running back Mike Goodson.
Ray Dominguez, OG
Dominguez has bounced around the NFL since being undrafted out of Arkansas University in 2011. Dominguez has been on the practice squad for both the Carolina Panthers and the Green Bay Packers.
Cameron Lawrence, LB
Lawrence is an undrafted rookie free agent out of Mississippi State University. He tied for third in the SEC in tackles and was a second team All-SEC selection. Lawrence had one of the best statistical defensive performances in the preseason, racking up 16 total tackles, good for second on the team.
Micah Pellerin, S
Pellerin is a second year undrafted free agent out of Hampton University. He bounced around the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers preseason rosters last season. Pellerin had five total tackles in the preseason. Pellerin’s most notable impact came when he was fined $15,750 for an unnecessary roughness penalty because of a helmet to helmet hit against the Arizona Cardinals.
Jason Vega, DE
Vega went undrafted in the 2011 draft and signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL. The Northeastern University product spent two years as a Blue Bomber, racking up 12 sacks, before the New England Patriots signed him. When New England cut him mid-way through the preseason, Dallas signed him. Vega likely made the practice squad because of a lack of defensive line depth on the Cowboys’ 53-man roster.
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